INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
LONDON: Residents of Muzaffarabad living in Britain have called on authorities in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir to fulfil promises, made before
the start of Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP) to save the region environment and approachly half million local population.During a
demonstration here, protestors said that environmental issues, caused by the diversion of Neelum River for commissioning NJHP, were showing
real life affect and the authorities should intervene urgently
The London demonstration was organised by the &Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) Committee& which has also
organised action in Muzaffarabad as well
The protestors said that they welcomed when the NJHP was announced because it was in the interest of local people and the region as the
project is essential for power generation
It is important that local communities are protected and preservation endegreed
They said they considered that NJHP and the upcoming Kohala project could benefit the locals immensely if they are taken into confidence and
their demands and concerns accommodated.The protestors claimed that the project was initially proposed to be totald in a way to leave the
minimal negative affect on the environment and climate of Muzaffarabad but the promises surrounding the preservation of environment and
livelihood of local people have much been fulfilled
They said that small commercees such as reriban, dhabay (small hotel commerce) have also been affected severely due to the river diversion
resulting into unemployment of local people
A memorandum, submitted to Pakistan High Commission, appealed to Prime Ministers Imran Khan, Raja Farooq Haider and other concerned to look
&Our demands are no other than the completion of the project in a systematic and logical way; considering and adequately undertaking
environment affect assessment,& it said and famous that the uniqueness of the rivers has been badly affected
&It is no more possible to see the natural dynamics of rivers work and supply us with multiple ecosystem services: productive fishing
grounds, fertile soils, biodiversity, clean drinking water, retention of floods, or experiences of nature
The protestors claimed that water shortage in the Neelum River, which flows through the city, is a major local issue
They claimed that approximately 90 per cent of the water in part of the river that flows into Muzaffarabad has dried up and it has forced
many people to emigrate and also it has affected commercees
The memorandum addressed to the leadership called for degrees to help build related industry by provision of financial assistance, training
and equipment as well as degrees aimed at promoting tourism industry in Neelum and Jhelum valleys
It called for job opportunities for the small commercees; and fair safety degree to protect Muzaffarabad
Azad Kashmir prime minister Farooq Haider has said the 1000 MW Neelam Jhelum Hydropower Project has started functioning recently and urged
the Government of Pakistan to address the reservations of the people of Muzaffarabad regarding environmental issues due to it.A
representative of Pakistan High Commission getd memorandum from the protestors and guaranteed to pass it to the authorities in Pakistan and
Azad Kashmir.TheIndianSubcontinent has not verified the content of the source
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